Explosive projectile.



a?. '1. DU PONT. BXPLQSIVE PBOJECTILE. APPLICATION FILED JULY l2, 1911.

-, 1,01 94:5l `Pemantel Jan. 80, 1912.

- UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

FRANCIS DU PONT, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.

EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILE.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, FRANC-Is I. D U PONT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wilmington, county of Newcastle, and Sta-te No. 995,635, I have set forth and claimed a' projectile embodying a {1y-wheel within the shell and rotatable relatively thereto on its longitudinal axis, and means geared to and operableby the fly-wheel adapted to effect the operationof tiring mechanism after a predetermined number-of revolutions of the shell around the iiy-wheel. Ajzthedprojectile, in traveling 1@a given distance, will rotate a given number of times, the gearing may be adjusted so that the parts will function after such number of revolutions, and therefore the firing mechanism will operate after the projectile has traveled such given distance. In said Patent No. 995,635, and also in two later applications, one filed by me May 29, 1911, Serial No. 680,009, and another tiled by me July 7, 1911, Serial No.

' 637,308, I have illustrated and described different embodiments of my broad invention, all, however, having in common the principle of a fly-wheel which, by virtue of its own inertia, does not partake of the roy tary movement imparted to the shell as it leaves the muzzle of the gun.

The object of the present invention is identical, in a broad sense, with that of my in- `ventions referred to, and embodies the underlying mode of operation specified; but it has for its more specific object the provision of means adapted to coperate with the force of inertia to overcome with more absolute certainty any tendency that may exist for the ily-Wheel to partake even in slight degrec of the rotary motion of the outer shell. To this end, I have devised a construction whereby the'. force of inertia is supplemented'by-means, operating on the princi- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led July 1Q, 1911. Serial No. 638,058.

:Patented Jan. 30,1912.

ple of a gyroscope, adapted to prevent .rotation of the fly-wheel.' i

A preferred embodiment of my invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a longitudinal section through the projectile; and Figs. 2 and 3 cross-sections on the lines 2 2 and 3--3 respectively of Fig. l.

a is the body of the shell.

is the base, which is threaded into'theI body. Arranged concentric with the longitudinal center or axis of the shell is a tube c having secured to its lower end a ily-wheel d. At the rear of the iy-wheel is a ball bearing e between it and the base of the shell. At the .front of the tube is a ball bearing f between it and the point of the lshell. Thus the tube c and fly-wheel (Z are freely rotatable relatively to the shell on an axis coincident with the longitudinal center line of the shell. Threadediin the point of the shell is a plug g having secured thereto a screw L extending within the tube along the axis of the shell. On the screw h is a nut'z' having projections j engaging longitudinally extending grooves or recesses 7c formed in the internal wall of the tube c.

The plug g is provided with a primed rear face, and the nut with a primed front face.4 i

For example, these opposing surfaces may carry friction materials, m and n, respectively, such as red phosphorus and a chlorate mixture, which upon sliding contact with each other fire, as described in my prior application No. 630,009, or one member may' carry a match head composition while the other contacting member may be roughened by grooving, as also described in the same application. The rear end of the screw extends into a central hole in the tlv-wheel (l. The plug g may be unscrewed and the screw h and nut 2' withdrawn and the nut adjusted on the screw at any desired distance from the primed face of the plug.

0 is an annular internal casing that is intended to contain explosive material 72, and a number of balls r may be confined therein, preferably along the inner wall of the shell,

which balls will be scattered when the exthe shell.v Freely rotatable on the shafts 'are' friction wheels t having conical peripheries engaging an annular conical friction driving surface v on the front Wall of the base of the shell. i

Previous to firing the projectile, the plug g is unscrewed and the screw ]1. and nut z' withdrawn and thenut positioned on the screw'at a point determined by the desired distance from the muzzle ofthe gun at which the bursting is to take place. When .the projectile starts its forward movement, 'two distinct movements of the shell relatively to the iy-wheel and tube occur. In the first place, while the plug g and screw 71, rotate with the shell, the fly-wheel CZ (as well as the tube c and Wheels t which in effect virtually form part of the fly-wheel) v does not get startedy by the force that determines the' rotation of the shell and by reason of their inert-ia remain stationary. In the second place, the ball bearings, particularly the rear bearing d, are so arrangedv as to permit a slight longitudinal movement of the fly-wheel and tube relatively to the shell; by reason of which these parts do not limmediately partake of the forward movement of the shell, causing them to move back and press the wheels t into contact with the friction cone 'v The result is that, the instant after the shell starts its forward movement, a rapid movement of rotation on their own axes is imparted to these wheels. As the shell leaves the gun and begins its iiight, air resistance tends to retard the movement of the shell, but no such force being operative against the forward movement of the iy-wheel al and tube c, these parts move forward and free the wheels from contact -with their driving cone o.

AAt this time these wheels are rotating at a high rate of speed, by Virtue of` which they strongly resist any change of directionof their axes. Consequently they strongly resist any bodily rotation around t-he axis of the shell, and consequently the {1y-wheel (i,

tube 0 and nut i are held from rotation even if otherwise the rotation of the shellwwould tend to overcome to any extent theirl own inertia. It will therefore be understood that from the time the shell starts its for lward movement, the nut i, which is held from rotation by the tube c, is fed forward by the rotation of the screw, z. After a certain number of revolutions, correspond-- It will be understood that While the princ iple of inert-ia of means within the shellA rotatable relatively to the shells axis and geared to .the shell so as tol control the operation of firing mechanism, is retained in the present invention, it is supplemented by, and to a greater or less extentsubordinated to, the gyroscopic action tending to hold such means from bodily rotation. Among the advantages resulting from reliance upon gyroscopic force are: First, rotation of the ily-wheel is prevented vwith more certainty and completeness; second, the weight of the fly-wheel may be reduced to a minimum, that is, to an extent that would `not be desirable if its own inertia were to be exclusively depended upon to hold it from rotation. Indeed the invention does not necessitate the employment of the tty-wheel as such, and the wheels themselves and the parts carrying the same and gearing withv the shell may be so light in weight that their function as a {1y-wheel becomes of minor or no importance except, perhap'S,`in the initial operation of the mechanism.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is: v

1. In a projectile, the combination with the shell, of a member within the shell rol tatable on an axis at an angle l`'to the longitudinal axis of the shell'and also rotatable bodily relatively to the shell on the latters longitudinalv axis, normally inoperative firing means and intermediate mechanism between said, firing means and said member operable in the latte-rs relative bodily movement of rotation to render said tiring means operative.

2. In a projectile, the combination with the shell, of mechanism freely rotatable relatively to the longitudinal axis of the shell, mechanism gearing therewith rotatable with the shell, and tiring means carried by both said mechanisms arranged to function with each other after av predetermined number'of revolutions of the shell around its axis, the rst named mechanism,

including a member rotatable upon. an axis at an angle to the shells axis.

S. In a projectile, .the combination with the shell, of meihanism mounted in the shell-so as not to partake of its movement of rotations, said mechanism including a member mounted to turn on an axis at an angle to the shells axis and adapted inthe rotation of the shell to be rotated thereby on its own axis, and primer-explodingmeans controlled in its operation by said'mecha msm.

4. In a projectile, the combination with" the shell,vof mechanism *rotatable with the roo shell, mechanism geared therewith and mounted in bearings in the shell so as not to partake of its movement of rotation and including a member rotatable on an axis at an angle to the shells axis and adapted in the rotation of the shell to be rotated thereby on its own axis, and firing means controlled in its operation' said mechanisms.

5. In a projectile, the combination with the shell, of a member rotatable on an axis at an angle to the-longitudinal axis of the s hell and also rotatable bodily relatively to the shell on the latters longitudinal axis and adapted in the rotation of the shell to be rotated thereby on its own axis, normally inoperative firing means, and intermediate mechanism between said member and said firing means, operable inthe rela-` tive bodily rotation of said member to render said firing means operative.

6. In a rojectile, the combination with the shell, oi) mechanism mounted in the shell so asnot to partake of its movement of `ro tation, mechanism gearing therewith rotatable with the shell, therst named mechanism including a member adapted in the rotation of the shellto be rotated thereby on an axis at an angle to the shells axis, and tiring means carried by both of' said mechanisms and arranged to function with each 'Y other after a predetermined number of revolutions of the shell around its axis. s

7. In a projectile, the combination with vthe shell and a part rotating therewith, of

mechanism mounted in the shell so as not to partake of its movement -of rotation and movable Along fitudinally of the shell, said mechanism including a member mounted to t-urn on an axis at an angle to the shells axis and adapted in the rearward movement .of said mechanism upon tiring, to engage,

and be rotated on its own axis by, said r0- tatable part, and primerexploding means controlled in its operation by said mecha-v nism.

8. In a projectile, the combination with the shell, of mechanism rotatable with the shell, mechanism gearing therewith longitudinally movable in the shell and mounted therein so as not to partake of its rotary movement and including a member adapted, in the rearward movement of the last named mechanism upon iringtovengage a part of. the first-named mechanism and be rotated thereby on an axis at an angle to the shells axis, and firing means controlled in its operation by said mechanisms.

9. In a projectile, the combination with the shell, of a member mounted in the shell so as to' have three movements relatively thereto, namely, a relative bodily movement around the longitudinal axis .of the shell, a positive rotary movement about an axis at an angle to the shells axis, and a longitudinal movement; a part rotatable with the shell and adapted to engage and rotate said member in the backward movement thereof resultant upon firing the shell, and means connected with said member including gearing and a primer-exploding device.

10. In a projectile, the combination with the shell, of a member mountedV in the shell so as to have three movements relatively thereto, namely, a relative bodily movement around the longitudinal axis of the shell, a positive rotary movement about an axis at an angle to the `shells axis, and a longitudinal movement; a part rotatable with the shell and adapted to engage and rotate said member in the backward movement thereof resultant upon firing the shell. normally inoperative iring means, and intermediate mechanism between said firing means and said member, operable by the latter in its relative bodily movement of rotation to render the firing means operative.

1l. In a projectile, the combination with the shell, and a part rotatable therewith, of mechanism mounted in the shell so as not to partake of its movement of rotation and4 be capable ofa limited longitudinal movement relatively to the' shell, mechanism gearing therewith rotatable with the shell, the first named mechanism including a member adapted upon firing the shell to move backward and engage, and be rotated by, said part rotatable with the shell, on an axis at an angle to the shells axis, and firing means carried by both of said mechanisms and arranged to function with each other after a predetermined number of revolutions of the shell around its axis.

12. In a projectile, the combination with the shell, of a gyroscope mounted in bearings ltherein so as not to partake of the rotary movement of the shell and having a rotatable part at an angle to the shells axis, means operable in the rotation of the shell to rotate said part whereby the body of the gyroscope is held from rotation with the shell, and tiring means connected with, and controlled in its operation by, said gyroscope. y

13. In a projectile, the combination with the shell, of a gyroscope mounted in bearings therein so as not to partake of the shells rotary movement and having a rotatable part at an angle to the shells axis, means operable in the rotation of the shell to rotate said part, and primer exploding means controlled in its operation by said gyroscope and arranged to function after a predetermined number of revolutions of the shell around the gyroscope.

'14. In a projectile, the combination wit-h the shell, of a gyroscope mounted in bearings therein so as not to partake of the shells rotary movement and having a rotatable part at an angle to the shells axis, means operable in the rotation of the shell to rotatesaid part, mechanism connected with the non-rotatable part of the gyroscope and with the shell and geared together, and vfiring means operable by said mechanism 5 and adaptedto function after a predetermined number of revolutions of the shell around the gyroscope.

15. In a projectile, the combination with the'shell, of a gyroscope rotatably mounted on the shells longitudinal axis and movabi'e longitudinally of said axis, whereby in firing'- the gyroscope moves 4rearward in the sheli,a part rotating with the shell and adapted to engage said gyroscope in its rear- Ward movement and start its operation, and

tiring means connected with and controlled in its operation by said gyroscope.

16. In a projectile, the combination with the shell, of a gyroscope mounted in bearings therein so as not to' partake of the shells rotary' movement and having a rotatable lpart at an angle to the shells axis, said gyroscope being` also movable longi. tudinally of the shell, means operable in the rotation'of the shell to engage said part in the rearward movement of the gyroscope consequent upon the firing fthe shell and rotate said part on its axis, and'primer-e'xploding means controlled in its operation by said gyroscope and arranged to function after a predetermined number of revolutions` of the shell around the gyroscope.

17. In a rojectile, the combination with theeshell, of) agyr'oscope mounted in bearings therein so as not to partake of the shells rotary movement and having a :ro-

' tat'able part at an angle to the shells axis,

said gyroscope being also movable longitudinally of the shell, means operable in 40 the rotation of the shell to engage said part in the rearward movement of the gyroscope consequent upon the firing of the shell and rotate said part on its axis, mechanism con' nected with the non-rotatable part 'of the gyroscope-and vwith the shell and geared together, and tiring means operable by said mechanism and adapted to function after a predetermined number of revolutions of the shell around the gyroscope.

18. In a I rojectile, the combination with the shell, o a fly-wheel rotatably mounted `therein on an axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of the shell, and movable. longitudinally ofI the shell," Wheels carried vby saidiy-Wheel,and rotatable on axes extending radially to the shells axis, said' shell having a driving face adapted in therearward longitudinal movement of the. flywheel tocontact with the driving faces. of

said wheels and rotate them on their axes,

mechanism connected with the fly-wheel and with the shell and geared together, and firing means operable by said mechanism and ladapted to function after a predetermined vnumber of revolutions of the shell around the ily-wheel. 4

19. In a projectile, the combination with the shell, of a fly-Wheel rotatablymounted therein on an axis coincident with thelon# gitudinal4 axis of the` shell and' movable 70 longitudinally of the shell, frictionwheels, having a conical periphery, carried by the fly-wheel and rotatable on laxes extending radially to the shells axis, the base of the shell having an annular conical friction 7,5

'driving surface adapted in the rearwardv movement of the iiy-wheel to contact with the peripheries of said wheels and rotate them on vtheir axes, mechanism 'connected with the fly-Wheel and the shell and geared together, and firing means operable by said mechanismand adapted to friction after a predetermined number of revolutions of the shell around the flywheel. V 20. In a projectile, the combination with 35' the shell, of a gyroscope mounted in bearings therein so as not to partake of the shells rotary movement and having' a rotatable part at an angle to the shells axis, means operable in the rotation of the shell to rotate said part, a screw rotatable on its l' own axis with the shell, a nut on the screw connected with, and held from rotation by, the'gyroscope, and priming means operable by the nut after the screw has made a predetermined numberxof revolutions.

21. In 'a projectile, the combination With the shell, of a fly-.wheel rotatably mounted therein on an` axis coincident with the loni gitudinal-axis of the shell and movable longitudinally of the shell, wheels carried by the fly-wheeL and rotatable on axes extend-v ing radially t`o the shells axis, said shell Vhavinga driving` face adapted xin the'rearjvard longitudinal movement j of the fly- 10 5 wheel to contactwith the drivin faces of A said Wheel and rotate them ont eir axes, a tube secured to the {1y-wheel, `a kscrew extending through said tube, a nut on the screw slidable in longitudinal guides on the tube, and priming means operable by the nut in its travel along said "screw.

In testimony .of which invention, I have hereunto set my hand, atPhiladelphia, on this' 10th day of July, 1911.

FRANCIS I. .DU PONT.

Witnesses: I

M. M. HAMILTON, A. J. Maeunm. 

